Attendees habitually show up late

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Some solutions for tardiness include setting an unusual start time, removing chairs, closing the door, making an assertive statement, sending an agenda reminder, and refusing to go back over their items.

- I do get irritated by peoplewho regularly turn up late to meetings,I just think it's really rude.They are effectively sayingthat their time is more valuable than the timeof everyone else at the meeting put together,and however important you are,you can never say that.Of course, they aren't consciously thinking that,they're just disorganized or forgetful,or they booked another meeting into their diaryjust before yours without a safety gap.Or maybe they got way late on their way to the meetingand were too unassertiveor perhaps too polite to say no,I've got a meeting now, I'll come back to you later.

But still the result is that they're late to the meeting,which inconveniences everyone else.So, it's bad enough that some people aren't therefor the first part of the meeting,but even worse is having to delay the start of the meetingbecause some people aren't there.Sometimes it's even the leader of the meetingwho's the one who's late.So, I've got some strategies for youto make sure that people turn up on time to your meetings,but before we get to those,it's worth noting that in my research I've discoveredthat there are big differencesbetween the private and public sectors,and also, that Americans tend to be more politethan the British,or at least, the apparently polite Britishcan get away with saying and doing thingsthat would be quite rude sounding to Americans.

For example, in the UK, it would be perfectly acceptableto call someone out for being regularly late to a meeting,or to take away the biscuits at the start of a meetingand deliberately leave just crumbsfor the late-comers to see.We would see it as a bit of fun, but with a point.And in the guise of joking around,we can be pretty barbed.While, I think with Americansand probably many other cultures,criticism is done and taken more directly,so it has to be gentler.

So, anyway, see what you think of the following methodsand pick one or more that you feel comfortablewould work in the culture of your organizationand your country.I've got nine quick ideas for youand here they are.My first suggestion is to have an unusual start time,something like 11:15 or 11:20,which will make them focus on when the meeting starts.To some people nine o'clock means nine-ish,give or take five or 10 minutes,but 11:20 sounds really precise.

Second, have cakes or doughnutsto eat just before you startand take them away when the meeting startsas an extra incentive.Third is to take away any spare chairsso that when people arrive late,there aren't any chairsand they have to go and fetch one from another room,and maybe spread yourselves equally around the tableso there isn't an obvious placefor them to push in with the chair that they've fetched.Fourth is to have the door closed,or maybe even locked if it's in England,so that they can tell that the meeting has startedand then they feel as if they're intruding.

Fifth is to say something assertive when they arrive,something like, "Julia, the meeting has already started,"or asking them why they're late,which will make them feel less keen on being late next time,but also sends a signal to everyone elsethat it's a bad idea to be late.Number six is to remind everyonewith a note on the agendathat you really do want to start on time.And number seven is to remind them personallyif they're a regular offender.

"Julia, you're sometimes late,"I know how busy you are,"but it would be really good if you could definitely"be there for the 11:15 start."If the Julia I know is watching this, by the way,don't worry, I know that you're never late.Number eight is to refuse to back over their itemsonce they arrive.Sorry, you missed it, we don't have time to go back,it's all sorted now and it'll be in the minutes.And finally, number nine is to see them after the meetingand offer to help.

"Julia, you were late again for my meeting today,"and I'm just wondering, is there anything I can do?"Would it help to have the meeting"at a different time of day, for example?"Maybe there is something simple that could help,but mainly, you're politely sayingsomething's got to change.So, who are the late-comers for your meetings?And which method are you goingto use on them from now on?

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11/8/2017

Are your meetings ineffective? Are you finding that you run out of time without completing the agenda? Do attendees seem dissatisfied or bored? Trainer Chris Croft outlines the top 10 meeting problems and explains how to manage each one. He covers meetings that aren't necessary; noises and other distractions that throw meetings off track; attendees showing up late; disruptive behavior; lack of focus; meetings that take too long; lack of progress; and lack of participation. Plus, get tips for eliminating some of the most common technology issues that occur during virtual meetings.